A Washington state senator has proposed a specialty license plate honoring the apple industry.
Sen. Brad Hawkins, a Republican representing North Central Washington, has introduced state legislation that would create a license plate emblazoned with the state’s apple-themed logo next to the plate’s number. The icon is the same trademarked symbol used by the Washington Apple Commission, which markets Washington apples internationally.
The Apple Commission and Washington Apple Education Foundation helped Hawkins draft Senate Bill 6032, according to a news release by Hawkins’ staff.
Proceeds of the sales would benefit the education foundation, which is celebrating its 25th year of giving scholarships to students who have at least one parent working in the tree fruit industry. The cost for specialty plates varies, but most others in Washington range from $60 to $75 each.
The state’s legislative session begins Jan. 13.
If passed, the Apple Commission would contribute $6,300 in start-up costs to create the specialty plate. The state Department of Licensing requires 3,500 signatures of people who intend to purchase the plate. The commission is collecting online signatures at the website https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/washington-apples-license-plate.
—by Ross Courtney
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